High End 2015: Thöress and Sperling





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HE15_Logo_GB_01Some would say that Reinhard Thöress of Thöress Audio makes high-end audio like it’s supposed to be made. Simple. Pure. Direct. Tubed.

I’ve been a fan for years — I’ve owned his phono preamp for several years, and if I didn’t already have a set of limited-output amplifiers, his would be on my list. I just completely dig his retro vibe, where “retro” = something built before WWII.

New-to-me was the 2CD12 MKII Loudspeaker ($19,450 US/pair), said to be of very high sensitivity, featuring a “transmission-line” (sort of) architecture, an 8″ woofer and paired with a constant-directivity horn design featuring a 2″ under-hung voice coil Morel compression tweeter jammed down it’s throat.

Paired here with the familiar Phono Equalizer ($12,475) and what looks like a new preamplifier ($11,975 US), along with the familiar and absolutely delicious 300b monos. Tucked back in the back of the bottom rack were a pair of 845 monos ($14,475 US). Not sure if there was some creative bi-amping going on in there or not.

A Sperling L-3 turntable and Sperling tonearm (roughly $30K US together) spun the tunes into the room. All the racks were from Paralyse

New, off to the side, was a forthcoming Thöress integrated. An SE input stage featuring  EC86 input tube will be matched up with a SE Mosfet output stage for about 15wpc. The integrated, which is targeting the €8k price-point, will also feature a first for Thöress: a remote control.

I will say this for the sound: given that Reinhard was working in, essentially, a cardboard iso-box on the floor of the Halls in Munich, the sound was shockingly good. Textures were spot-on, and timbre was goose-bump-real. This was some of the very best sound on the Halls in Munich, a gem in a field of rubble.

Did I mention I’m a fan? I’m a fan. Love this stuff. Serve me up a double-helping, if you please.

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Aurender is the Proud Sponsor for High End Munich 2015








About Scot Hull 1063 Articles
Scot started all this back in 2009. He is currently the Publisher here at PTA, the Publisher at The Occasional Magazine, and the Executive Producer at The Occasional Podcast. There are way too many words about him over on the Contributors page.